The Troubles and Beyond

The history of Northern Ireland from the late 1960s to the present day has been dominated by the civil and political conflict known as ‘the Troubles.’ The events that took place here after 1968 have impacted not just the people of Northern Ireland, but people across the world. Our collection covers themes of politics and conflict, and the impact of both on everyday life, people and communities.

The Troubles and Beyond exhibition is not exclusively focused on the conflict, but relates to contemporary history and therefore includes objects that represent our wider social, cultural and economic history. The collection is a dynamic one, and it continues to be developed and refined. Recently acquired items include George Best’s Northern Ireland football jersey, a puppet of Gerry Adams from the TV series Spitting Image, material relating to the life and career of Belfast-born actor James Ellis and a collection of Pride t-shirts dating from 1991 when the first march was held in Belfast.

We are constantly working to build and develop our contemporary collection to show social change, working life, arts and culture, and the ever-changing environment around us. The Troubles did not take place in a vacuum. The reality of life is reflected in our personal memories and the photographs and mementoes that underpin our family history.

A Living Display

There is a section of this gallery that is dedicated to temporary displays that change regularly. These showcases allow us to explore different perspectives on conflict, its legacies, and peacebuilding. The objects displayed often connect local experiences with stories from across the world. 

Previous displays:

Gaza Remains the Story is a downloadable exhibition created by the The Palestinian Museum. It presents stories of historical places and cultural life in Gaza, offering insight into the city’s heritage, creativity and identity. The exhibition has been shown in museums internationally, including here at the Ulster Museum. This display reflected the role museums can play in helping people understand the human impact of conflict.

Legacies of Conflict and Peacebuilding 

Exploring conflict and its consequences is a core part of the Ulster Museum’s work. Alongside the permanent Troubles and Beyond gallery, we present temporary exhibitions, research and public programmes that examine these themes from multiple perspectives. Previous examples include Threads of Empowerment: Conflict Textiles' International Journey (now ended) which highlighted experiences of conflict, oppression and human rights across countries including Zimbabwe and Cuba.